Steaming Pile of
Streaming Tight Ends
Finding a fill-in at the tight-end position will be more challenging over the next several weeks with bye weeks beginning, but we’re here to help find a few that offer some upside. The position is constantly being churned in most leagues so keep an eye out on who has been dropped in order to upgrade your lineup during bye weeks.
Let’s look back at the players we recommended in Week 4. Jake Ferguson led the pack with a TE4 finish on the week. He has seen seven targets in three of four games this season, and should be rostered in most leagues until he shows us otherwise. It was rough outing for Gerald Everett, who finished TE37, but it was a tough day at the office for all Los Angeles Chargers. When Justin Herbert only completes 13 passes, it becomes challenging for any of his receivers to post results, especially when he runs in two scores himself. Logan Thomas was a part of the higher-scoring Washington Commanders/Philadelphia Eagles offensive brawl, but only managed 41 yards and finished as TE22. A disappointment for sure, but he’s still running the second-most routes out wide for a tight end which gives him opportunities in an offense that targets the position at the fifth-highest rate. This week’s recommendations are all under 65 percent rostered in most platforms.
Ol’ Reliable
Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz doesn’t bring a lot of excitement to fantasy football rosters, but for those seeking a reliable option who won’t leave a zero on the scoreboard, he’s the man to trust. In Week 5, Ertz faces the Cincinnati Bengals, who currently rank 28th defensively against the tight end position. This favorable matchup adds another layer of appeal, making Ertz a strong choice for fantasy managers seeking reliability and the potential for significant production. It’s worth noting that Ertz hasn’t found the end zone yet this year, which suggests positive regression is on the horizon. Furthermore, with quarterback Joshua Dobbs in the facility for barely over a month, he could continue to develop a rapport with Ertz, potentially providing additional opportunities to make an impact in the Cardinals’ passing game.
Rookie Alert
Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid, the Buffalo Bills’ 2023 first-round rookie tight end, is quietly making a case for fantasy relevance. In Week 4, Kincaid ran 20 routes to Dawson Knox‘s 14, signaling a growing involvement in the Bills’ offense. What’s even more intriguing is that he finished the game with a season-high 20 percent target share. This development suggests that Kincaid is beginning to carve out a more significant role in the passing game. As we look ahead to Week 5, the Bills are set to embark on a high-scoring showdown with a massive 48-point implied total. This sets the stage for Kincaid to have an excellent chance at finding the end zone this week. While he might not have garnered much attention thus far, his upward trend in usage and the potential for a scoring opportunity in this explosive matchup make Kincaid a compelling streaming option for fantasy managers.
Zach Wilson, Don’t Fail Me Now
Tyler Conklin
Trusting Zach Wilson may feel like navigating turbulent, uncharted waters, but there’s a glimmer of hope for the New York Jets offense. In the upcoming ‘Wilson Bowl,’ featuring Zach Wilson for the Jets and Russell Wilson for the Broncos, the Jets have a chance at moving the ball more effectively. One target to keep an eye on is Tyler Conklin, the Jets’ tight end. Conklin has quietly ranked in the Top 20 in route participation this season, indicating a consistent presence in the passing game. What adds to his appeal is the Jets’ Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, a team that has surrendered the most points to the tight end position, even when factoring in the high-scoring 70-point matchup against the Miami Dolphins (the Denver Broncos allowed a mere 2 points to the opposing tight ends in that game). While Conklin is certainly a long shot, he could be a worthwhile gamble for managers in deeper leagues or those looking to shake things up in Week 5.
Let me know what you think about these players! Any questions? Find me on Twitter/X @TooMuch_Brian